What tools do I need for general maintenance?

[Pickledswede]

Basically when my dad moved out he took all the useful tools for bikes, and we're left with a load of crap bits and bobs...

So really I want to try and consolidate existing tools, and see what I need.

What I want to be able to is fix problems with/service my CB500, as I'm planning to get a good mechanical knowledge from this bike so I know what I'm doing!

So what tools are essential for this? Or what would be useful but not essential (e.g. I tried to check the spark gap the other day and didn't have a wire guage or something?)

Cheers

[gmanxiii]

Common Spanner and socket sizes used 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and possibly 17mm. Anything bigger for stuff like wheels and head stocks you will have to check the sizes.

Selection of screwdrivers and Hex Keys/allen Keys

Pliers

Sparkplug tools (i assume youve already got one)

Should be able to service and maintain most of your bike with just those (most should be there as part of honda toolkit if you still have it).

Think what you are refering to for the sparkplug tool is a feeler guage, can be wire based or the fan type versions. Other things that you might consider.

Torque Wrench
Circlip pliers
C spanner
Loads more i cant think of at the moment.

Best thing to do is start with basics, and add the extra items as you need them.
____________________
I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[gmanxiii]

Oh and various tubs and funnels for changing oil and other liquids
____________________
I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[Howling Terror]

^^^ What he said ^^^^
and to add choose the ring/open type of spanner

Pat
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Mudskipper]

Don't forget a bonking stick.

[Kal]

Buy cheap, the tools you break will be the ones you are using most and so when they go replace with quality kit.

Get thee to Wilkos with £20.

Hammer, Screwdriver set, Spanner set, Knife, Pipewrench, Pliers (blunt and needle) and Wirestrippers.

If you are really lucky you might be able to pick up a basic socket set as well.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[ms51ves3]

[Kal]

[Pickledswede]

[Pete.]

Decent screwdrivers - Phillips No's 1,2 and 3 and equivalent sized flat blades. Forget the interchangable-bit screwdrivers you'll kick yourself when you have to strip the bike (or even worse, the engine) to fish out a lost end and most are crap quality anyway.

Long screwdriver - at least 300mm blade. One flat and one No2 Phillips (not pozi-drive). Keep these safe for undoing hard-to-reach jubilees.

A good set of allen keys. I have a set of ball-end 'Lazer' allen keys that are bloody good for the cost of less than a tenner. For your bikes toolkit I'd buy the fold-away set you get in the bicycle section at Halfords.

A medium ball-pein hammer, centre-punch, and pin punches.

Large standard pliers, long-nosed pliers and side cutters.

Tidy set of combination spanners. Go by the finish, if the chrome is smooth and the edges are crisp then it's probably worth having. Cheap is usually, but not always crap. Believe it or not I got a cracking set my wife bought new from a boot fair tool-stall for £8. I use them more than my better set simply because they are not in a case, just loose in a drawer.

3/8" drive metric sockets, and allen-sockets. There's a lot of rubbish out there, if you bought a set from Halfords you won't go far wrong.

A 6mm and a 7mm nut-runner. These are to stop you wrecking tight jubilee clips. They look like a screwdriver with an end like a socket. Probably one of the handiest tools you'll have in th elong run.

A rubber mallet - £2 from Wickes. For whacking stuff like wheel spindles in.

Stanley knife.

Cheap test meter.

Cheap battery drill - one of my favourite tools. Put a 1/4 drive extension in the chuck and an 8mm socket and whizz those clutch-cover bolts off.

Oil catch can & 5-gallon drum - for oil changes.

A nice 3-drawer top-box to put it all in. Cantilever toolboxes are okay but they fall apart quick when overloaded and get full of spare parts, oil & crap.

If you shop-around you should be able to get fair quality stuff and spend about £100 at a guess. Don't bother with the '180 tool-piece set for £30' deals they are mostly very poor quality.Avoid stuff that has lots of un-necessary-sized tools (like 5.5mm allen key - has anyone ever actually used on of them?).
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Pickledswede]

Cheers! I'll be printing that off and taking it with me anywhere I go where tools may be!

When I was at MCN there was a pretty hefty stall dedicated to tools, so hopefully should be able to pick some up a bit cheaper at NEC!

Will be back with karma

[stirlinggaz]

hi,
favourite screwdrivers - draper screwdriver set.
belonged to my late father, so must be al least 25 years old .
comes in a blue plastic wallet, handle is that yellow see through plastic.(i have accumulated a spare handle, thou that one has "felo" stamped on it?)
& the "blades" come out, comes with about 7 or 8 different types, incl. the one that gets master cylinder screws off without rounding them! (& some dangerous pointy things!)
has out lasted every other screwdriver.
got a load of draper expert stuff, cant fault them, though the impact sockets i got with my cheap lidl windy gun are surprisingly good quality.
i never use hex keys now, i bought a decent set of hex bits a couple of years ago, came in a nice red tin & they have been invaluable, i just shove them on the 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar.
if theres no room to get them in, i just use the bits that go in the 1/4 inch socket/bit set.
cheers,
GAZ